Proclamations, October 12, 1984

Proclamation 5257 -- National School Lunch Day, 1984

October 12, 1984

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

Since 1946, the National School Lunch Program has made it possible for our Nation's children to
enjoy nutritious, well-balanced, low-cost lunches. Now in its 38th year, the National School
Lunch Program stands as an outstanding example of a successful partnership between Federal and
State governments and local communities to make food and technical assistance available in an
effort to provide a more nutritious diet for students.

The young people of our Nation are our greatest resource. The School Lunch Program
demonstrates our commitment to the promotion of the health and well-being of our youth. Under
its auspices, over 23 million lunches are served daily in nearly 90,000 schools throughout the
country. The success of this effort is largely due to resourceful and creative food service managers
and staff working in cooperation with government personnel, parents, teachers, and members of
civic groups.

By joint resolution approved October 9, 1962, the Congress designated the week beginning on the
second Sunday of October in each year as ``National School Lunch Week'' and authorized and
requested the President to issue a proclamation of observance of that week.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby
proclaim the week beginning October 14, 1984, as National School Lunch Week, and I call upon
all Americans to give special and deserved recognition to those people at the State and local level
who, through their dedicated and innovative efforts, have made it possible to have a successful
school lunch program.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of October, in the year of our
Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and ninth.

Ronald Reagan

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 12:23 p.m., October 12, 1984]

Note: The proclamation was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on October 13.

Proclamation 5258 -- National Housing Week, 1984

October 12, 1984

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

The provision of a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family
continues to be a national housing goal. Homeownership and decent housing instill pride in our
citizens and contribute to the vitality of communities throughout America. This year, a vibrant
housing industry continues to provide jobs for thousands of our citizens and to play a major role
in our Nation's economic recovery.

Housing comes in an almost infinite variety of forms from single-family detached dwellings to
large urban skyscrapers. It is available for purchase or rent. It includes lovingly restored older
buildings and prefabricated new ones. But whatever form it takes, good housing remains an
essential part of the American Dream. The efficiency and success of free enterprise in responding
to the great variety of market demands for housing deserve special notice and commendation.

In recognition of our Nation's commitment to housing and homeownership and the role that
housing plays in our economic vitality, the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 606, has
designated the week of October 14 through October 21, 1984, as ``National Housing Week'' and
authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby
proclaim the week beginning October 14, 1984, as National Housing Week, and I call upon the
people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to observe this week with
appropriate activities and events.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of October, in the year of our
Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and ninth.

Ronald Reagan

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 12:24 p.m., October 12, 1984]

Note: The proclamation was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on October 13.

Proclamation 5259 -- White Cane Safety Day, 1984

October 12, 1984

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

As increasing numbers of blind and visually handicapped people enter the American mainstream to
live and work among sighted people, the public should be alerted to the significance of the white
cane. The white cane is more than a guide for its users and a signal to others. Through the aid of a
white cane and an informed and empathetic public, many blind and visually handicapped people
can now enjoy the fullness of American life.

As we become sensitive to the needs of the blind and the visually handicapped, we remove shared
burdens. As our visually handicapped citizens become more self-sufficient, the lives of those they
touch are enriched by the example of their courage. Patronizing or pitying attitudes -- barriers
much worse than physical ones -- will surely diminish as there is more interaction among us.

Sighted people should be aware that many white cane users lead independent lives and that others
are well on their way to doing so. We should always provide them the kind of assistance that they
need and appreciate.

In recognition of the significance of the white cane, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved
October 6, 1964 (78 Stat. 1003), has authorized the President to proclaim October 15 of each
year as White Cane Safety Day.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby
proclaim October 15, 1984, as White Cane Safety Day. I urge all Americans to mark this occasion
by acquainting themselves with the needs and accomplishments of blind and visually handicapped
people, who want to make fuller use of their God-given potential, unhampered by
misunderstanding on the part of sighted citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of October, in the year of our
Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and ninth.

Ronald Reagan

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 12:25 p.m., October 12, 1984]

Note: The proclamation was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on October 13.